Home » Fantasy Football Week 1 Wide Receiver Rankings

Fantasy Football Week 1 Wide Receiver Rankings

Publish Date: September 7, 2023

The 2023-24 NFL season is about to begin which means fantasy football is back! Most fantasy football team managers don’t make major lineup moves in the first week of the season. Typically managers will start the players they drafted in the earlier rounds. However, since every week is important it would be irresponsible to start a player with a rough matchup over a player with a more favorable one because he was drafted to be a starter. Here are fantasy football week 1 wide receiver rankings.

*Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to the Injured Reserve List

(Check out the section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week)

Key:

Must Start- a player who is in your lineup regardless of the matchup or most circumstances. They will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and in most weeks.

Starting WR1- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a high floor.

High WR2- a player who may not be likely to carry a lineup that week, but has the ability to have a breakout game and is teetering between WR1 and WR2 territory.

Starting WR2- a player who should be started in most lineups and should reach their point projection. This player is started is because of their consistency and moderately high floor

Low WR2- a player who may not be a lock to start for a team every week, but will start more times than not. Their production may not be pretty or win a person their lineup but the production is consistent enough to make a fantasy owner comfortable starting them.

Flex- a player who could float around the territory of being benched, but is started due to the potential to play better than their point projection. However, this player has the potential to flop and cause a fantasy team to lose if he has a bad game.

Deeper League Flex- a player who has starting value in deeper leagues. There are enough reasons to leave this player on the bench, but their upside makes them an attractive option. Desperate times may call for a player like this to be inserted into starting lineups.

Upside Player- a player who is boom or bust. This player can exceed expectations in a given week or could flop and be the reason why someone lost their fantasy matchup.

Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.

Category Name Opponent Ranking
Must Start Justin Jefferson vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR1
Must Start Ja’Marr Chase vs Cleveland Browns WR2
Must Start Tyreek Hill vs Los Angeles Chargers WR3
Starting WR1 Amon-Ra St. Brown vs Kansas City Chiefs WR4
Starting WR1 CeeDee Lamb vs New York Giants WR5
Starting WR1 Davante Adams vs Denver Broncos WR6
Starting WR1 D.K. Metcalf vs Los Angeles Rams WR7
Starting WR1 Stefon Diggs vs New York Jets WR8
High WR2 Chris Olave vs Tennessee Titans WR9
High WR2 A.J. Brown vs New England Patriots WR10
High WR2 Garrett Wilson vs Buffalo Bills WR11
High WR2 Jaylen Waddle* vs Los Angeles Chargers WR12
High WR2 DeVonta Smith vs New England Patriots WR13
High WR2 Keenan Allen vs Miami Dolphins WR14
Starting WR2 Tee Higgins vs Cleveland Browns WR15
Starting WR2 Deebo Samuel vs Pittsburgh Steelers WR16
Starting WR2 Chris Godwin vs Minnesota Vikings WR17
Starting WR2 Calvin Ridley vs Indianapolis Colts WR18
Starting WR2 Amari Cooper vs Cincinnati Bengals WR19
Low WR2 Tyler Lockett vs Los Angeles Rams WR20
Low WR2 Diontae Johnson vs San Francisco 49ers WR21
Low WR2 Terry McLaurin* vs Arizona Cardinals WR22
Low WR2 D.J. Moore vs Green Bay Packers WR23
Low WR2 DeAndre Hopkins vs New Orleans Saints WR24
Low WR2 Christian Watson* vs Chicago Bears WR25
Low WR2 Mike Evans* vs Minnesota Vikings WR26
Flex Drake London vs Carolina Panthers WR27
Flex Courtland Sutton vs Las Vegas Raiders WR28
Flex Mike Williams vs Miami Dolphins WR29
Flex Odell Beckham Jr. vs Houston Texans WR30
Flex Marquise “Hollywood” Brown* vs Washington Commanders WR31
Flex Michael Pittman Jr. vs Jacksonville Jaguars WR32
Flex Jahan Dotson vs Arizona Cardinals WR33
Flex Christian Kirk vs Indianapolis Colts WR34
Flex Brandon Aiyuk vs Pittsburgh Steelers WR35
Flex Michael Thomas vs Tennessee Titans WR36
Deep League Flex Brandin Cooks vs New York Giants WR37
Deep League Flex Jordan Addison vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR38
Deep League Flex Gabe Davis vs New York Jets WR39
Deep League Flex Adam Thielen vs Atlanta Falcons WR40
Deep League Flex Van Jefferson vs Seattle Seahawks WR41
Deep League Flex Jakobi Meyers vs Denver Broncos WR42
Deep League Flex Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs Los Angeles Rams WR43
Deep League Flex George Pickens vs San Francisco 49ers WR44
Deep League Flex JuJu Smith-Schuster vs Philadelphia Eagles WR45
Deep League Flex Nico Collins vs Baltimore Ravens WR46
Deep League Flex Skyy Moore vs Detroit Lions WR47
Deep League Flex Zay Flowers vs Houston Texans WR48
Upside Play Elijah Moore vs Cincinnati Bengals WR49
Upside Play Kadarius Toney* vs Detriot Lions WR50
Upside Play DJ Chark* vs Atlanta Falcons WR51
Upside Play Treylon Burks vs New Orleans Saints WR52
Upside Play Hunter Renfrow vs Denver Broncos WR53
Upside Play Curtis Samuel vs Arizona Cardinals WR54
Upside Play Allen Lazard* vs Buffalo Bills WR55
Upside Play Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs Detroit Lions WR56
Upside Play Rondale Moore vs Washington Commanders WR57
Upside Play Michael Gallup vs New York Giants WR58
Upside Play DeVante Parker* vs Philadelphia Eagles WR59
Upside Play Tyler Boyd vs Cleveland Browns WR60
Upside Play Marvin Mims Jr. vs Las Vegas Raiders WR61
Upside Play Darnell Mooney vs Green Bay Packers WR62
Upside Play Jonathan Mingo vs Atlanta Falcons WR63
Upside Play Romeo Doubs* vs Chicago Bears WR64
Upside Play Zay Jones vs Indianapolis Colts WR65
Upside Play Parris Campbell vs Dallas Cowboys WR66
Upside Play Jayden Reed vs Chicago Bears WR67
Upside Play Rashod Bateman vs Houston Texans WR68
Upside Play Marvin Jones Jr. vs Kansas City Chiefs WR69
Upside Play Alec Pierce vs Jacksonville Jaguars WR70
Upside Play Tutu Atwell vs Seattle Seahawks WR71
Upside Play K.J. Osborn vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR72
Upside Play Isaiah Hodgins vs Dallas Cowboys WR73
Leave on the Bench Quentin Johnston vs Miami Dolphins WR74
Leave on the Bench Chase Claypool* vs Green Bay Packers WR75
Leave on the Bench Robert Woods vs Baltimore Ravens WR76
Leave on the Bench Mecole Hardman* vs Buffalo Bills WR77
Leave on the Bench Donovan Peoples-Jones vs Cincinnati Bengals WR78
Leave on the Bench Wan’Dale Robinson* vs Dallas Cowboys WR79
Leave on the Bench Josh Reynolds vs Kansas City Chiefs WR80
Leave on the Bench Mack Hollins vs Carolina Panthers WR81
Leave on the Bench Darius Slayton vs Dallas Cowboys WR82
Leave on the Bench Puka Nacua vs Seattle Seahawks WR83
Leave on the Bench Kendrick Bourne vs Philadelphia Eagles WR84
Leave on the Bench Rasheed Shaheed vs Tennessee Titans WR85
Leave on the Bench Allen Robinson vs San Francisco 49ers WR86
Leave on the Bench Rashee Rice vs Detroit Lions WR87
Leave on the Bench Tank Dell vs Baltimore Ravens WR88
Leave on the Bench Michael Wilson vs Washington Commanders WR89
Leave on the Bench Randall Cobb vs Buffalo Bills WR90
Leave on the Bench Braxton Berrios vs Los Angeles Chargers WR91
Leave on the Bench Kalif Raymond vs Kansas City Chiefs WR92
Leave on the Bench Nick Westbrook-Ikhine vs New Orleans Saints WR93
Leave on the Bench Josh Downs vs Jacksonville Jaguars WR94
Leave on the Bench Sterling Shepard vs Dallas Cowboys WR95
Leave on the Bench Joshua Palmer vs Miami Dolphins WR96
Leave on the Bench Trey Palmer vs Minnesota Vikings WR97
Leave on the Bench Cedric Tillman vs Cincinnati Bengals WR98
Leave on the Bench John Metchie III vs Baltimore Ravens WR99
Leave on the Bench Jalin Hyatt vs Dallas Cowboys WR100
Leave on the Bench Demario Davis vs Philadelphia Eagles WR101
Leave on the Bench Greg Dortch vs Washington Commanders WR102

Possible Changes that can occur before Sunday

WR12 Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

Jaylen Waddle has been dealing with an abdominal injury. He is expected to play this week. However, if Waddle were to miss Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers Braxton Berrios would become WR73 between Quentin Johnston and Chase Claypool. Cedrick Wilson becomes WR91 between Randall Cobb and Kalif Raymond.

WR22 Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

Terry McLaurin has been dealing with a toe injury that puts his season debut in jeopardy. If he was to miss Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals Jahan Dotson moves up to WR25 between Christian Watson and Mike Evans. Curtis Samuel moves up to WR38 between Brandin Cooks and Jordan Addison.

Green Bay Packers Wide Receivers: WR25 Christian Watson & WR64 Romeo Doubs

Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are both dealing with hamstring injuries. At this point of the week, both are uncertain to play in Green Bay’s opening game. If Christian Watson misses Week 1 against the Chicago Bears and Romeo Doubs plays then Doubs becomes the WR41 between Van Jefferson and Jakobi Meyers. Jayden Reed moves up to WR54 between Hunter Renfrow and Curtis Samuel. Dontayvion Wicks becomes WR97 between Trey Palmer and Cedric Tillman.

If Doubs misses Week 1 against the Chicago Bears and Christian Watson plays Jayden Reed moves up to WR62 between Marvin Mims Jr. and Darnell Mooney. Dontayvion Wicks would become WR97 between Trey Palmer and Cedric Tillman.

If both Watson and Doubs miss Week 1 against the Chicago Bears then Jayden Reed becomes WR33 between Jahan Dotson and Christian Kirk. Dontayvion Wicks becomes WR77 between Mecole Hardman and Donovan Peoples-Jones.

WR26 Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Evans is expected to play in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers season opener despite dealing with a hamstring injury. If he does miss Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings Chris Godwin moves up to WR14 between DeVonta Smith and Keenan Allen. Trey Palmer moves up to WR76 between Robert Woods and Mecole Hardman. Deven Thompkins or Rakim Jarrett would be Tampa’s third receiver in three-receiver sets.

WR31 Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Arizona Cardinals

Marquise “Hollywood” Brown was limited in practice Wednesday with a hamstring injury. If he was to miss Arizona’s Week 1 game against the Washington Commanders Rondale Moore moves up to WR51 between DJ Chark and Treylon Burks. Michael Wilson moves up to WR83 between Puka Nacua and Kendrick Bourne. Greg Dortch moves up to WR97 between Joshua Palmer and Trey Palmer.

WR50 Kadarius Toney, Kansas City Chiefs

Kadarius Toney missed time during the preseason due to a knee injury. Reports have stated that Toney is expected in the first game of the 2023-24 season. If Toney suffers a setback and does not play against the Detroit Lions Skyy Moore moves up to WR39 between Jordan Addison and Gabe Davis. Marquez Valdes-Scantling moves up to WR51 between DJ Chark and Treylon Burks. Rashee Rice moves up to WR83 between Darius Slayton and Puka Nacua.

Carolina Panthers Wide Receivers: WR40 Adam Thielen & WR51 DJ Chark, Carolina Panthers

Adam Thielen was limited in practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury. DJ Chark has been dealing with a hamstring injury for a few weeks. It is not certain if they will be available for the Carolina Panthers’ first game of the season. If Thielen misses Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons and Chark plays then Chark will move up to WR38 between Brandin Cooks and Jordan Addison. Jonathan Mingo moves up to WR51 between Kadarius Toney and Treylon Burks.

If Thielen is active and Chark was to miss Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons Adam Thielen moves up to WR38 between Michael Thomas and Brandin Cooks. Jonathan Mingo moves up to WR51 between Kadarius Toney and Treylon Burks.

If both are inactive this week Jonathan Mingo moves up to WR37 between Michael Thomas and Brandin Cooks. Terrace Marshall Jr. becomes the WR71 between Alec Pierce and Tutu Atwell.

New York Jets Wide Receivers: WR55 Allen Lazard & WR77 Mecole Hardman

Both new additions to the New York Jets receiving core Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman are dealing with injuries. Allen Lazard is dealing with a shoulder injury. Mecole Hardman is dealing with a finger injury. If Lazard misses this week’s game and Hardman plays then Hardman becomes the WR67 between Parris Campbell and Jayden Reed. Randall Cobb moves up to WR82 between Darius Slayton and Puka Nacua.

If Hardman misses this week’s game and Lazard plays them Randall Cobb moves up to WR81 between Darius Slayton and Nacua.

If both Lazard and Hardman miss this week’s game then Randall Cobb moves up to WR73 between Quentin Johnston and Chase Claypool.

WR59 DeVante Parker, New England Patriots

DeVante Parker missed some practice time last week with an undisclosed injury. He returned to practice on Monday which is a good sign that he should play this weekend. If DeVante Parker misses Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles Kendrick Bourne moves up to WR73 between Isaiah Hodgins and Quentin Johnston. Demario Davis moves up to WR95 between Josh Downs and Sterling Shepard.

WR74 Chase Claypool, Chicago Bears

Chase Claypool has been dealing with a hamstring injury. He is expected to be able to play in the Bears’ season opener. If Claypool misses Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers Velus Jones Jr. or Equanimeous St. Brown would be Chicago’s third receiver.

WR78 Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants

Wan’Dale Robinson is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last season. There is a chance that Robinson is active for the Giants’ first game of the season. If Robinson misses Week 1 against the Dallas Cowboys the other Giants receivers should have larger roles in the offense.

Players that are currently not expected to play

Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos

Jerry Jeudy suffered a hamstring injury that is expected to hold him out for the first few weeks of the season. However, he hasn’t been ruled out for Denver’s season opener. If Jeudy could suit up for Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders he would slot in at WR30 between Mike Williams and Odell Beckham Jr. Courtland Sutton would move down to WR38 between Michael Thomas and Brandin Cooks.

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